Lifelong friends Mario Merlos and Ernesto Olivares achieve the dream of homeownership for themselves and their families. With the support of the Extreme Makeover team, Homes 4 Families and hundreds of volunteers, their new, modern duplex is the inaugural home in a new development raised in an effort to make housing affordable and accommodatable for veterans. By building this community, the hope is that it's easier for veterans to transition back to their families, and have an immediate built-in support system through their neighborhood.

This is the first duplex completed by the Extreme Makeover team of Breegan Jane, Darren Keefe, Carrie Locklyn and host Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Special guest Ty Pennington makes an appearance, too! See what they did to customize this new construction for both families.

The newly constructed duplex home is the first house in a new development. Its design will be used throughout the community to offer residing and visiting veterans a familiar layout, and make it easier for those with disabilities to embrace the neighborhood and foster friendships as they reacclimate into a civilian lifestyle. Despite the similar mirror-image three-bedroom, two-bathroom, 1,360-square-foot floor plans, the interior finishes are customized for each family.

Rocking chairs and a porch swing are used to design a welcoming entryway for each family's respective home. The families have their own private spaces, but can continue to enjoy shared time together, and with their future neighbors.

"Coming into a home like this is definitely the American dream," exclaimed Ernesto, as he choked back tears. He and his wife Amy, and their son and daughter finally have a place to call home. Stepping inside the new house and seeing photos of their family hung on all walls was especially emotional, as they were never able to hang artwork and feel completely settled in the apartments they've rented.